Direct Support Professional - Bear, DE

Mission: Advancing community support and opportunities for people living with disabilities

Core Values: We believe each person should:

• Be included, respected, and valued.
• Have ongoing information, experiences, and expectations from which to make choices.
• Have a variety of relationships.
• Live and participate in the communities of their choice.
• Have a career, dreams for the future, and make meaningful contributions.

Position:

Direct Support Professional (DSP)

Reports To:

Team Lead/Group Home Manager

JOB OVERVIEW

Under the general supervision of the Team Lead/Group Home Manager, a DSP is responsible for a variety of duties related to the overall care of individuals with developmental disabilities who reside in SJCS residential programs. This includes: providing direct care to individuals, implementing of individual support plans (ISP), and implementing individual behavior plans (BP). Direct Support Professionals are required to perform all duties in accordance

with State of Delaware regulations and SJCS policies and procedures.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES

Training

• Completes and maintains all required state mandated trainings such as medication training, CPR / First Aid, MANDT, and all state core trainings (RELIAS) within 90 days of employment;
• Attends meetings and training sessions as required by DDDS and SJCS
• Completes annual trainings related to individual support plans, behavior plans, and other related plans;

Daily Programming

• Provides transportation to and from activities;
• Assists in the implementation of individual plans for individuals and behavioral plan goals;
• Assists individuals in the pursuit of recreational, social and community activities based on their preferences and individual plans;
• Assists and encourages individuals in the establishment of social networks;
• Promotes participation and involvement in community outings;
• Works all assigned schedules, including but not limited to: arriving and departing on time, requesting time off in advance, and notifying your supervisor of changes to your assigned work schedule;
• Ensures each individuals rights are protected;
• Treats individuals with dignity and respect;

Activities of Daily Living

• Administers medications to individuals as assigned;
• Observes individuals for any changes in behavior or health that may have resulted from medication administration;
• Ensures individuals are dressed neatly and appropriately and are groomed at all times;
• Assists and encourages individuals to care for immediate personal needs such as toileting, washing their hands, and eating;
• Prepares nutritional meals based on individual needs and preferences;
• Encourage individuals to assist in the preparation of meals and snacks as appropriate to their individual plan and behavior plan;
• Keeps residence both interior and exterior and resident personal space clean, organized, and tidy and encourage them to participation in home beautification and upkeep as appropriate according to their individual plans;
• Teaches individuals daily skills such as household chores, laundry, cleaning, and washing dishes, as appropriate according to their individual plan;

Communication

• Observes individuals for evidence of injury or bruises and evaluates for changes in emotional and physical status;
• Reports any noted problems to the Team Lead/Group Home Manager immediately and complete a written incident report form;
• Reports all medical related incidents to the Team Lead/Group Home Manager and the delegating nurse;
• Acts as a representative for SJCS in a professional manner when required, to families, service coordinators, State officials, community partners, local businesses, and employers;
• Represents SJCS in a professional manner to families, service coordinators, State officials, and community partners when required;
• Maintains resident confidentiality;
• Communicates with the Team Lead/Group Home Manager when items related to individuals personal needs and personal space needs to be purchased;

Teamwork

• Assists the Team Lead/Group Home Manager in the preparation for the annual Individual Planning Meetings
• Treats all individuals and coworkers and with dignity, respect, and fairness;
• Provides support to other team members when individuals are having behavioral issues;

Documentation

• Documents all program data, including but not limited to: individual plan data, behavior plan data, community integration logs, assessments, individual funds requests, mileage logs, maintenance requests forms, and supply acquisition forms;
• Documents individuals health (i.e. seizure charts, weight, bowel movements, fluid intake.);
• Ensures that all documentation is completed accurately and in a timely manner;
• Ensures Medication Administration Record (MAR) entries are completed daily;

Completes communication log books during shift;

REQUIREMENTS:

EDUCATION: As associates or bachelors degree from an accredited school in a human services field is preferred. High school diploma or its equivalent is required.

EXPERIENCE: At minimum, two years experience working with persons who have a developmental disability in a group setting and at least one-year experience in supervising and managing residential programs. Must have a valid drivers license and an acceptable driving record as determined by criteria established by the Agencys insurance carrier and by Agency policy.

PHYSICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS:

• Must be able to lift 50 pounds.
• Work may require lifting, transporting and transferring individuals.
• Work environment involves risks or discomforts, which require special safety precautions e.g. safely operating a motor vehicle, exposure to aggressive human behavior, etc.
• The above job description is not intended as, nor should it be construed as, exhaustive of all responsibilities, skills, efforts, or working conditions associated with this job.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this job.

St. John's Community Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer. St. John's Community Services does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other protected class.